Pizza recipe | How to make pizza | Homemade pizza recipe

“Craving pizza? Make it at home tonight with this quick and easy recipe! Whip up a delicious homemade crust and sauce in no time—it’s simple and tastes incredible.”

I can’t remember the last time I had the house to myself, but wow, I enjoyed every second. The peace. The stillness. The simple joy of doing absolutely nothing. I went to the sunroom, put on some Sam Cooke, grabbed a Strongbow ( lightweight alert! ), and made a homemade pizza just for me. Pure bliss.

The joy of piling on my favorite toppings and eating in peace? Unmatched. Do you have a go-to homemade pizza recipe?

If not, you have to try this one. If you already do, well… try this one anyway!

Here’s my favorite pizza crust and sauce recipe for quick homemade pizzas! It never lets me down and is perfect for busy weeknights.

I try different pizza crusts all the time, but I always come back to this one. What I love about this crust is that it doesn’t need a long resting period like most yeast-based doughs.

It only requires 5, 10, 15, 20, or 30 minutes, and sometimes I even skip the waiting and pop it straight into the oven right after shaping it. Although it does taste even better if you let it rise a little.

This homemade crust is amazing! It’s perfectly thick, soft, and packed with a delicious yeast flavor. And the pizza sauce? You’ll love it! It’s bold and flavorful without needing to simmer for hours.

Don’t let the lengthy recipe below scare you. Once you make it the first time, you’ll be making it from memory in no time!

• Servings: 1 12-INCH PIZZA
• Prep time: 15minutes MINS
• Cook time: 12minutes MINS
• Total time: 57minutes MINS

Ingredients

Quick Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup finely diced white onions
• 2 large cloves garlic, minced
• 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (drained and pureed)
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• A splash of red wine (optional)

Quick Homemade Pizza Crust (12-inch)

• 1 cup very warm water
• 2 teaspoon sugar (divided)
• 1 packet active dry yeast.
• 2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 heaping teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 heaping teaspoon Parmesan cheese

Toppings

• Freshly grated mozzarella cheese
• Diced green bell peppers
• Black olives
• Turkey pepperoni

Instructions

For the Sauce:

• In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
• Add onions and sauté until soft.
• Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant.
• Mix in pureed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes.
• Gradually add chicken broth and stir.
• Bring the mixture to a light boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.
• Cook until the sauce reaches the consistency you want.
• Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

For the Crust:

• In a small bowl, mix 1 teaspoon of sugar with warm water. Add yeast and let it sit for 10–15 minutes to proof.
• Once the yeast is ready, pour the mixture into a large bowl.
• Add flour, salt, the remaining sugar, olive oil, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese. Mix to form dough.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and gently knead with oiled hands.
• Press the dough into a 12-inch pizza pan that has been lightly oiled. Keep your hands oiled to make pressing easier and to soften the dough.
• Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rest in a warm spot for 30 minutes.

To Assemble and Bake:

• Preheat your oven to 425°F.
• Spread the prepared sauce evenly over the dough.
• Add cheese and your favorite toppings.
• Bake for 12 minutes or until the crust is fluffy and fully cooked in the center.
• Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
• Slice and serve hot!

Notes:

Pizza Sauce:

• Depending on how salty your chicken broth or tomatoes are, you may need to add salt. Always taste and adjust as needed.
• Use a food processor to mix for a smoother sauce.

Pizza Crust:

• If you’re in a rush, a 5–10 minute rest is fine, but for a fluffier crust, let the dough rest for at least 30 minutes in a warm spot.